This weeks fascinating object comes courtesy of the Writers Museum in Edinburgh. Yes, that’s right, it’s a sword once owned by the bard himself. He used this swordstick in the course of his duties as an exciseman.

Excise was a tax similar to V.A.T. but collected at the point of manufacture or import rather than at the point of sale. A wide range of goods was liable for it, mostly notably silk, tobacco and spirits. Burns as a gauger had to calculate and collect the tax due. Thus in addition to improving a run down farm he had to travel over 200 miles per week on horseback collecting excise duties and complete the necessary bookwork during his evenings. For this he received £50 per year plus £50 for every smuggler arrested and half of any goods seized.

Sword-stick which belonged to Burns while he was an excise officer at Dumfries.

R. Burns engraved on handle.

Although he had two full-time jobs and his health was not good he found time to write many songs. The long hours on horseback allowed him to work over verses.

Fortunately in July 1790 he was transferred to the Dumfries Third (or Tobacco) Division which reduced his weekly mileage. He was good at his job and popular with his superiors. His standard of living on the farm was above average and he could employ farmworkers to help him with the improvements.

This week, items which relate to Robert Burns often unhappy time at Lochlea Farm. Robert was 18 years old when his family moved to Lochlea Farm in 1777. Here he was faced with the prospect of attempting to transform 130 acres of treeless, rain soaked moorland 400 feet above sea level in to fertile agricultural land. The strain of the effort which he was required to exert in pursuing this objective, hastened his death. Around 20 of Lochlea’s 130 acres was occupied by standing water. This took the form of a small loch. It was unremarkable, although during dry periods in the summer when the water level dropped, a small island would emerge some distance from the shore.

The items shown below all were found in and around Lochlea Crannog and reflect the intensive agricultural work that has taken place over many centuries in this area.

Piece of Socketed Wood

The farmland was very mossy and William Burnes had problems paying his rather high rent. Robert and his brother Gilbert worked long hours on the farm and earned a modest wage. Robert took dancing classes and often found himself falling in and out of love with local girls.

Wood Carving Cast - This is a cast of a carving found on a piece of ash wood in Lochlee Crannog.

William had made an agreement with his landlord David McLure but didn’t have a written contract. William and his landlord disagreed about rents. William took his case to the Court of Session in Edinburgh and won but legal costs took the last of his money. On 13 February 1784, a few days after winning the case, William died. Robert later wrote: ‘When my father died, his all went among the rapacious hell-hounds that growl in the kennel of justice.’

Bridle Bit

Burns is said to have roofed the barn himself and upon its demolition an engraved lintel from it was incorporated into the new farmhouse that replaced it. Robert and Gilbert leased nearby Mossgiel Farm in spring 1784.